Like Paul...

Ok.  I am nothing like Paul.  Nothing.  However, I can somewhat imagine how he sometimes might have felt when he had to pen some of those letters to the early churches.  Or when he was disappointed from time spent discipling new believers only to have them then walk away for their sinful desires?  Or the demanding emotional, physical, and spiritual ups and downs of ministry?  Last week was an upper.  This week, some situations are still uppers and then another one has hit rock bottom, or seems like it.  ARGH!!  It is truly exhausting loving people who are broken & hurting, choosing to believe lies rather than truth without feeling used and abused.  It is exhausting and heartbreaking to see people have rebellious hearts and rejecting the One who loves them most.  Sometimes I feel it is too much of a gamble yet other times I know that I don't know where the wind blows so I am encouraged to remain diligent, pressing on in love.  My fear is my own broken heart.  Yet I am reminded that I know the One who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.